It’s a given that exercise improves health and well-being, and healthy doses of exercise works just like a medicine. It works against diseases, depression, prevents chronic illness and helps reverse chronic pain.
There are also the physical and psychological benefits – when exercising, the brain and the nervous system are activated to become more efficient. Hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine are released into the bloodstream triggering receptors that include immune cells. Then there is serotonin, the happy hormone which when released plays a key role in preventing anxiety and depression.
Let’s look at the specifics of using exercise in life-styling when the aim is to improve and optimize a functioning body that is free from chronic pain however it presents itself.
For me, it has been ridding symptoms from rheumatoid arthritis without the use of prescribed medication - and some of the positive actions I have taken and then experienced.
i. My main objective is ridding chronic inflammation and alongside diet and mindfulness, cardiovascular exercise plays a large role. Cardio comes in many forms whether its walking, running, cycling, swimming, team sports! Quite frankly as long as you can get your blood pumping it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that it’s done regularly, preferably everyday and that the heart rate is increased for at least 20 minutes. To fit into my schedule, I attend a couple of dance aerobic classes a week and I walk either outside or on a treadmill. The benefit is that even after 20 minutes of fairly moderate exercise it’s enough to decrease inflammatory responses.
ii. My other objective is ridding chronic pain this is crucial if I want to live my best life. The most effective action is pushing weights. Weightlifting has been a way for me to manage and relieve arthritic pain. This is how – it strengthens my muscles that support my joints, - the science behind being that the joints need muscles and ligaments around them for support and stability, without enough muscle the joints take a pounding. But as muscles engage and strengthens, they absorb some of the force easing the pressure on either weak or inflamed swollen joints. My improvement has been dramatic, from reducing inflammation pain and stiffness to thriving and doing activities that I could only once dream of.
Historically the link between physical activity and health dates as far back as 2500 BC where in Ancient China organized health programs were practised, and then later Ancient Greek philosophy of medicine linked exercise with life longevity.
Modern evidence convinces even more the benefit of exercise and for it to be a major component for life-styling.
If anything, I have shared has sparked a curiosity, or you are unfortunately suffering with chronic pain and wish to take control - it may be the time to reach out.
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